Dallas Mavericks head coach Avery Johnson (left) and his wife Cassandra (second from left), both SU grads, hosted a fundraising event in Dallas to support the Southern University System. Joining the supportive alumni are SU System President Ralph Slaughter and his wife Denise.

NBA coach and wife bring major support for SU

Southern University alumni Avery and Cassandra Johnson in January hosted a scholarship endowment benefit at the Petroleum Club in Dallas, Texas

The event, attended by friends, SU alumni, and supporters, raised more than $250,000 for the Johnsons' Southern University endowment.

Joining them were Southern University President Ralph Slaughter and sponsor Trevor Rees-Jones.

As a high school senior in 1983, Avery Johnson led New Orleans' St. Augustine High School to a 35-0 record and the Class 4A Louisiana State Championship. Johnson matriculated at New Mexico Junior College before moving on to Cameron University, and finally Southern University, where during his senior season in 1988 he led the NCAA with 13.3 assists per game, a senior and all-time record that still stands. Johnson graduated from SU in 1988

Johnson's professional career began with the Seattle Super Sonics and managed to spend the next 16 years playing in the NBA, including stints with the Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors, and Dallas Mavericks

After spending the 2003-2004 season playing with the Golden State Warriors, Johnson signed as a player-coach with the Dallas On October 28, 2004, Johnson retired from playing to concentrate full-time on coaching, and his transition from assistant to head coach came five months later on March 19, 2005.

Johnson was named the April 2005 NBA Coach of the Month, only one month after becoming a head coach for the first time.

In April 2006, Johnson was rewarded for this success with the 2006 NBA Coach of the Year Award.

Johnson is married to Cassandra, a SU School of Nursing alumnus.